Structural element



1931- c T. HATCH STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Filed May 12, 1930 fl m R Y 0% WT K m 6 B Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES 'r. HATCH, or

ALBION, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO UNION STEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Application filed Kay 12, 1930. Serial No. 451,885.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a metal studding joint or likeunit with means for attaching wall board or like panels thereto.

Second, to provide'a structural device of this character in which the attaching means for the wall board or like panel constitutes a finishing strip for the panel.

Objects pertaining to details and econm omies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow.-

tion is defined in the claims.

Astructure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the ac- The invencompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a studding unit embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with fragments of panels have lugs 8 struck out therefrom. The webs also have curved tongue-like supports 9 for the panels I struck outwardly therefrom.

The supports, being attached at one end only, provide spring members which yieldably support the panels, compensating for variations in thickness and also providing a firm grip on the panels.

-The attaching members '10 have curved bod'y portions and inwardly ofl'set spaced flanges 11 adapted to receive the flanges 7 and provided with lugs 12 which engage the lugs 8, thereby securely retaining the attaching member in overlapping engage ment with the supported panels. The flanges 11 are preferably flared at their outer edges of said 0 to facilitate engagement with the flanges 7.

With this arrangement of parts the panels may be quickly and effectively secured to metal studding without the necessity for driving fastenings through the panels or providing special fastenings to be driven into the metal studding, as has heretofore been attempted. Further, an attractive finish is provided for the panels. I have illustrated and described my improvements as I have embodiedthe same in studding, but it is desired to point out that they may be readily adapted for joists and other structural units where it is desired to attach panels or the like thereto.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as neivs and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A structural device comprising a unit consisting of a pair of channel-shaped members disposed in facing relation and having laterally projecting co-engaging seam flanges at their edges, the webs of said channel members being folded longitudinally'to provide centrally disposed flanges, said flanges having oppositely projecting lugs struck therefrom, and attaching members having inwardly ofl'set flanges spaced to receive said flanges on said studding unit and rovided with lugs coacting with the said ugs thereon. j

2. A structural device'comprising a unit consisting 'of a pair of channel-shaped members dis osed in facing relation, the webs tudinally to provide centrally disposed flanges, said flanges having oppositely projecting lugs struck therefrom, and attaching members having .inwardly ofiset flanges spaced to receive said flanges on said studding unit and provided with lugs coacting with the said lugs thereon.- g

3. A structural device comprising a unit consisting of a pair of channel-shaped mem- 'bers disposed in facing relation, the webs of said channel members being folded longi: tudinally to provide centrally disposed flanges, said flanges having oppositely projecting lugs struck therefrom, the webs of annel members being folded longisaid channel members also having curved supports struck out therefrom at each side of their said flanges, and attaching members having inwardly offset flanges spaced to receive said flanges on said studding unit and provided with lugs coacting with the said lugs thereon.

4. A structural device comprising a unit consisting of a pair of channel-shaped mem-' bers dis osed in facing relation, the webs of said c annel members being folded longitudinally providing centrally disposed flanges, the webs of said channel members also having panel supports struck out there from at each side of their said flanges, and attaching members engageable with said flanges on said studding unit.

5. A structural device comprising a channel-shaped structural member having its web portion folded upon itself to provide a centrally disposed projecting flange, and also having supporting members struck therefrom at each side of said flange, and an attaching member. having inwardly offset flanges spaced to receive said flange on said structural element, said flanges on said structural element and attaching member having co-engaging lugs.

6. A structural device comprising a channel-shaped structural member having its web portion folded upon itself to provide a centrally disposed projecting flange, and an attaching member having inwardly offset flanges spaced to receive said flange on said structural element, said flanges on said structural element and attaching member having co-engaging lugs.

7. A structural device comprising a channel-shaped structural member having its web portion folded upon itself providing a projecting flange and also having spring supporting members struck therefrom at each side of said flange, and an attaching member engageable with said flange.

8. A structural device comprising a unit having oppositely projecting flanges, the flanges having laterally projecting lugs, and attaching members having inwardly ofl'set flanges spaced to receive said flanges on said studding unit and provided with inwardly projecting lugs coacting with the said lugs thereon.

9. A structural device comprising a unit having oppositely projecting flanges, the flanges having projecting lugs, and attaching members adapted to receive said flanges on said studding unit andprovided with lugs coacting with the said lugs thereon.

10. A structural device comprising a member having a centrally disposed flange projecting therefrom and projecting supports disposed at each side of said flange, said flange being provided with lugs, and an attaching member disposed opposite said supports and having spaced flanges coacting my hand.

CHARLES T. HATCH. 

